Changes for Rnd 2 V Port.

[Matt80]

After the Port game I think Heeney needs to be placed in the subs vest for the GWS game. We need to manage him properly and a rest in the subs vest every 3 / 4 weeks would be a good way to freshen him up.

Does anyone agree?

[aguy]

After the Port game I think Heeney needs to be placed in the subs vest for the GWS game. We need to manage him properly and a rest in the subs vest every 3 / 4 weeks would be a good way to freshen him up.

Does anyone agree?

That's probably not a bad idea about managing heeney ( although I have no knowledge of physical conditioning) just sounds like a good idea to me.

Regarding goodes Knees there is absolutely no medical evidence that stem cells are of any use in regenerating cartilage in knees which is the expensive treatment that he has been having. I'm very dubious that it's doing anything to help Goodes but sure it's doing a lot to make someone else wealthy

[mcs]

Jetta is happy to get the footy on his terms but is @@@@@@ the rest of the time, Shaw is being led to the ball too often and when he used as a free runner his disposals are poor to unrealistic. Towers needs game time but in the mean time has no positioning and a lack of awareness that borders on spectating. Goodes was problematic throughout the day and a chase he half made on Hibbert early did him in.

Hard to argue against many these points. Jetta will won't to learn to be a lot more accountable if he is going to play down back.

Shaw's disposal look even worse than last year, and we are going to be so reliant on him coming out of the back line.

[crackedactor]

I think Cunningham has lost his way and is playing without any confidence. The remedy for that is the reserves, not throwing him to the wolves against Port. BJ would be better if we need some speed.

Jetta is almost in that category as well and did not seem too keen to take on contests yesterday but I guess he will be given another crack on the big ground in the dry.

Stopping the Port runners who are strong, agile, fast and can read the play is probably the biggest challenge for the game. Maybe the Rampe to the midfield idea will have some impact. That weakens the backline but we don't seem to have any other options.

Mitchell for Parker. McVeigh back via the ressies, its been too long. McGlynn probably not ready. Give Goodsey another shot but it is a worry.

Overall, BJ for Cunningham and Mitchell for Parker. Wish I knew more about the ressies practice game result.

I agree that Goodsey looked very ordinary yesterday, 35 supercoach points, maybe his lowest ever. I suppose its harsh to drop him now, but they cannot continue with him because his defenCe is almost not existence these days. Maybe another one or two chances!! just a side light.. Watching heeney yesterday in his first game wow!! And they say Callum Mills is better..WOW!

[mcs]

Laidler is a lot like Mattner (after he lost his pace). He's a solid defender with a long left foot kick. Mattner played when we had 3 key defenders (Reg, Ted, LRT) and was good as the third man in a contest and an intercept marker. Teams with 3 good tall marking options can exploit Laidler as a 3rd tall, and he's not a rebounder, so it limits how we can use him. All that said, he's a great player to have at the club, as he can come in and cover in case of injury to a key defender. Rampe can drop back into defence and do the same job as Laidler plus provide rebound out of defence, and can also go into the midfield.

I hope that Reid can grow into the job of a key defender until one of our kids comes through, because we are certainly light in that area of the ground.

Zak Jones is another player that is made for the modern pressure game. He should make his way into the team as well at some point in the season.

I thought Laidler did well yesterday, and indeed did quite a decent job when he pushed further forward. He is one of those good depth players every club must have- and he does look like Mattner as well style wise (lets hope he gets a chance to make a contribution like that of Mattner in 2012)!

- - - Updated - - -

Although he has never said it publicly, I wonder if Goodes is eyeing of Michael Tuck's games record. He has 75 games to go. He may get there if he plays four more seasons. He will turn 38 in four seasons from now.

This milestone is in reach and I'm going to back him.

There will be games this year where he chips in with 3 - 4 valuable cameo goals.

It was a wet night and no tall player dominated. He still looks quite sharp and if Fletcher can keep going, so can Goodes.

I'm sorry but he'll be lucky to see out this year, let alone another 4 years!

Even taking into account the wet night - he looked absolutely awful yesterday, completely off the pace and his contribution was minimal at best. I have the utmost respect for him, but if we get 4 or 5 weeks of that in a row, then its got to get to a point where the club must make the hard call. Even if that initially is to try him in the subs vest.

[barry]

Pains me to say it but goodes may have stayed one season to long

[annew]

I wonder if Goodes would have retired had we been able to trade.

[Doctor]

Based on what I have just seen we're going to have to lift a lot to get anywhere near Port. That game against Freo was amazing by both teams.

[Conor_Dillon]

After playing a high intensity game in 28 degree heat, a 6 day break and a return trip from Perth, I think Port will be very vulnerable. Their key defensive posts are definitely their weakness and if it's a dry night we should be able to expose them.

[aguy]

After playing a high intensity game in 28 degree heat, a 6 day break and a return trip from Perth, I think Port will be very vulnerable. Their key defensive posts are definitely their weakness and if it's a dry night we should be able to expose them.

I like your thinking. Don't tell the swans that though. They need to assume port are going to be relentless

[Mug Punter]

Although he has never said it publicly, I wonder if Goodes is eyeing of Michael Tuck's games record. He has 75 games to go. He may get there if he plays four more seasons. He will turn 38 in four seasons from now.

This milestone is in reach and I'm going to back him.

There will be games this year where he chips in with 3 - 4 valuable cameo goals.

It was a wet night and no tall player dominated. He still looks quite sharp and if Fletcher can keep going, so can Goodes.

Based on last night Goodes is gone.

All we heard in othe off-season was how he had turned back the clock fitness wise but he was an absolute liability out there last night. Sure he can still sheep-dog a few soft goals but he just gets rolled on the rebound.

I do not believe we can win a flag with him in our best 22, you can't afford to carry someone, no matter how great a servant.

Talk of him playing another four seasons is just an astounding statement, do you actually watch the game Matt or do you just analyse salary caps, trade strategies and the AFL political landscape?

I have faith in Horse to deal with the Goodes issue. He showed a ruthless side with ROK and I have no doubt he will do the same to Goodes if required. If he has another shocker against Port then don't be surprised with a speedy decline. I'd also think we'd see a retirement rather than gutsing it out in the twos like ROK did.

[Mug Punter]

As for changes, I'd go with the following

Cunningham out - McVeigh in
Mitchell in for Parker (if ruled out with Concussion)

I'd keep the rest as I really think they all deserve a second chance given the comeback but they will need to raise their efforts massively to roll Port next week. Goodes is clearly on notice as is Reid. I think Towers deserves an extended run, if only to "make or break" him and I think Tom Mitchell is way to good a player to not be in our top 22.

I'll trust the coaching staff to manage Heeney but I don't see how giving him less game time if he is playing well helps the team.

[Doctor]

McVeigh hasn't played a pre season match yet. Stepping in against Port may be a bit too tough for him. I wonder how far away McGlynn is too.

I agree that Mitchell is a logical inclusion for Parker if concussion rules him out. Agreed on Towers too, I thought he was one of our cleaner users of the footy last night. Reid will be a full time defender very soon the way he's going. He looks so much better back there.

[jono2707]

Although he has never said it publicly, I wonder if Goodes is eyeing of Michael Tuck's games record. He has 75 games to go. He may get there if he plays four more seasons. He will turn 38 in four seasons from now.

This milestone is in reach and I'm going to back him.

There will be games this year where he chips in with 3 - 4 valuable cameo goals.

It was a wet night and no tall player dominated. He still looks quite sharp and if Fletcher can keep going, so can Goodes.

LOL one of your best yet......

[Matt80]

Based on last night Goodes is gone.

All we heard in othe off-season was how he had turned back the clock fitness wise but he was an absolute liability out there last night. Sure he can still sheep-dog a few soft goals but he just gets rolled on the rebound.

I do not believe we can win a flag with him in our best 22, you can't afford to carry someone, no matter how great a servant.

Talk of him playing another four seasons is just an astounding statement, do you actually watch the game Matt or do you just analyse salary caps, trade strategies and the AFL political landscape?

I have faith in Horse to deal with the Goodes issue. He showed a ruthless side with ROK and I have no doubt he will do the same to Goodes if required. If he has another shocker against Port then don't be surprised with a speedy decline. I'd also think we'd see a retirement rather than gutsing it out in the twos like ROK did.

It's astonishing how Goodes is being written off. He missed a shot on the run, but you could see him pulling away from his opponent. The pace is still there. I would still back him to beat Tom Mitchell, Craig Bird, Josh Kennedy, Luke Parker, Heath Grundy, Ted Richards, Issac Heeney and Jeremy Laidler over the 40 yard time trial.

By all accounts he is better prepared in 2015 than 2014. His output was good in 2014 and you would think that his output would be better in 2015. If his output is better in 2015 then he will play in 2016.

ROK was a very good player at AFL level, but Adam is an all-time great. ROK could not survive in the open field in 2014, Adam Goodes can in 2015.

He will be handy at the Adelaide Oval where he will lead into space and give some great options.

Adam is building. It would not surprise me if he was amongst our better players on a dry deck.